Anyone else notice a pattern of people dropping in this thread saying they are going to do something then disappearing?

I haven't disappeared and I have done something. It is a long story and I'm not ready to tell it just yet. No significant action has happened yet but my application is submitted, sort of. I'll update within the next week or so when I have some new information.

By the way, don't get too excited. I don't think this is going anywhere positive anytime soon.

Wait until SCOTUS rules on carry in public. Then wait until Richards is ruled on. Then wait until Sacramento-like "shall issue" (i.e., interminable delays, insistence on performing interviews, etc.) is litigated (all the way to SCOTUS, I'd wager). Then wait until arbitrary license restrictions are litigated (again, probably all the way to SCOTUS). There may be further issues that need litigation beyond that, depending on the ingenuity of the enemy (something I am determined to not underestimate).

In short, figure another 5 to 10 years, realistically.

Of course, some will call me a pessimist. Funny how things haven't proven me to be such so far...

Your views on any given subject are the sum of the media that you take in, scaled to the weight of the credibility of the source that provides it, seen through a lens of your own values, goals, and achievements.

Pain is the hardest lesson to forget; Ego is the anesthesia that deadens the pain of stupidity.

Your views on any given subject are the sum of the media that you take in, scaled to the weight of the credibility of the source that provides it, seen through a lens of your own values, goals, and achievements.

Pain is the hardest lesson to forget; Ego is the anesthesia that deadens the pain of stupidity.

I think it's pretty clear that Santa Clara awaits the outcome of Richards. We'll see no movement on this whatsoever until then.

Even with a favorable outcome in Richards, I fully expect us to have to go through at least another couple of years of litigation against Santa Clara before they begin issuing permits at all, and another many years of litigation before they begin issuing useful permits.

At least the chance of winning here is greater than zero. But I can't say anything more positive than that. Santa Clara is actually worse than Los Angeles with respect to this, and everyone regards Los Angeles as the benchmark standard.

Oh KC, you're such a pessimist. Remember, the sherriff has been sherriff here for nearly a century, and she'll likely retire before all of that waiting you listed is over. I know she won't lose an election (I presume some sale of a soul was involved in that, I've never spoken to anyone who admitted voting for her) but someone better might get voted in when she decides she's had enough.

Oh KC, you're such a pessimist. Remember, the sherriff has been sherriff here for nearly a century, and she'll likely retire before all of that waiting you listed is over. I know she won't lose an election (I presume some sale of a soul was involved in that, I've never spoken to anyone who admitted voting for her) but someone better might get voted in when she decides she's had enough.

Things could get better on the RKBA front with a replacement. I'm not convinced that such is the way to bet, but I'm certainly open to the possibility.

That said, I'll believe it when I see it, and not a minute before.

Replacement or no, I think it's almost certain that we're going to have to wait until all the litigation dust settles before peons like myself can exercise RKBA in public the way a right demands. Again, it's possible that things will go differently, but I'll believe that when I see it. The sheriff is a political position with enormous power. People who hold such positions in highly populated areas in "progressive" states such as ours tend to be thoroughly corrupt. Why in the world should I believe in some fairy tale that says that this will suddenly change here?

Smith is, as of now, 61 years old. That suggests to me that, short of the miracle that would be required for someone else to win the election, she'll be with us for at least the next 3 years. And since the position in question allows her to wield a bunch of power, I've no reason to believe that she'll retire even once she hits 64. People who enjoy wielding power for its own sake tend to not let go.

As for me being a pessimist, well, that can only be measured by what actually happens in the real world versus my predictions of same. If you can show that the real world has (more or less) consistently turned out to be better than I predict, then I'll concede the pessimism claim. But so far, the real world seems to be pretty much as bad -- and as good -- as I generally predict it to be.

I sent this question to Capt. Jensen via the info@ address on the campaign website:

Quote:

Good morning. I would like to know where Capt. Jensen stands on issuing legitimate CCW permits to regular citizens in Santa Clara County. With the current regime, it is not even an option unless one is a personal friend or has heavily donated to her campaign. I would like to know that there is a possibility for a regular citizen with a legitimate reason to obtain a CCW permit.

I look forward to Capt. Jensen winning the Sheriffs office next June!

Tom Bombaci

Here is the VERY quick response:

Quote:

Dear Tom,

Thank you for your question. Below is Kevin's response.

"So far this is a very popular topic with residents of Santa Clara County. I will apply a consistent policy for all persons who apply for a CCW permit. An applicant must first meet all of the legal requirements set out by law and secondly, they must articulate a legitimate need for the permit. Each case will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis using a common-sense approach. A political affiliation or campaign donation will not improve one's chance of securing a CCW permit in Santa Clara County."

It can't get any worse than Sheriff Smith... I realize Jensen's a bit of a long shot, but so far he has my vote.

It can't get any worse, but maybe not any substantially better. Actually, maybe it can: Jensen could continue a "non-issue" policy, and we wouldn't have the hate of Smith to affect change.

Quote:

Originally Posted by patriot_man

That's pretty vague. Legitimate reason? Is the desire to protect myself a legitimate reason in Mr. Jensen's eyes? Until I get a more concrete answer I'm not putting all my eggs in one basket.

Agreed on the vague. I've fired off an email to them incorporating a few of their phrases. Let's see if I get a canned message back or if they actually address any of the points. (The "quick turnaround" sounds like a staffer just firing back generic canned messages designed to appease/placate either side.)

__________________

Quote:

Originally Posted by Theseus

Damned criminals! When will they learn that they can't carry guns in prohibited places? I call for a ban on criminals! With a ban on criminals in place we will be assured that this kind of thing can't happen!

Interesting, there is a @kevinjensenforsheriff.com domain as well that doesn't have mail properly set up, and the mailto: link on the www.kevinjensenforsheriff2014.com points to the non-"2014" address.

__________________

Quote:

Originally Posted by Theseus

Damned criminals! When will they learn that they can't carry guns in prohibited places? I call for a ban on criminals! With a ban on criminals in place we will be assured that this kind of thing can't happen!

Hi,
I writing to inquire on where Capt. Jensen stands on the LTC [CCW] issue. As a rural resident of Santa Clara County, we have -1- Deputy for the area (and the position seems to rotate every 6 months). Does Capt. Jensen consider Self Defense a "legitimate need" for a permit, like Sacramento? Or will he continue Sheriff Smith's position on the matter? A common sense approach would dictate that absent a prohibition [NICS/LiveScan rejection], department resource would not be wasted needless bureaucracy.

I look forward to a response, as I am undecided on my vote.

And got the _exact_ same canned message as above.

I've now sent an email calling them on the canned response.

__________________

Quote:

Originally Posted by Theseus

Damned criminals! When will they learn that they can't carry guns in prohibited places? I call for a ban on criminals! With a ban on criminals in place we will be assured that this kind of thing can't happen!

Jensen looks like politics as usual. It's a Deep Blue county. If he wins election and softens his anti-2A opinions, he may surprise you. Don't hold your breath.
If he is a closet conservative/libertarian, you've got a chance. I don't know about SSC, but most rank and file LEO's I've talked to are pro gun.

ANYONE is better than Sheriff Smith. It can't get WORSE than her.

__________________Don't ask how many guns I own, I lost count.Rick Perry, Ted Cruz Trump for President 2016, because Hillary is NOT an option.

"...A political affiliation or campaign donation will not improve one's chance of securing a CCW permit in Santa Clara County."

If anyone else believes this, I have bridges in the Bay Area for sale. Cheap.

I'm sure this is directly related to the investigations into Smith and they don't want anything turning up when Jensen's mail is PRA'ed.

__________________

Quote:

Originally Posted by Theseus

Damned criminals! When will they learn that they can't carry guns in prohibited places? I call for a ban on criminals! With a ban on criminals in place we will be assured that this kind of thing can't happen!

"So far this is a very popular topic with residents of Santa Clara County. I will apply a consistent policy for all persons who apply for a CCW permit. An applicant must first meet all of the legal requirements set out by law and secondly, they must articulate a legitimate need for the permit. Each case will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis using a common-sense approach. A political affiliation or campaign donation will not improve one's chance of securing a CCW permit in Santa Clara County."

Thank you,
Kevin Jensen for Sheriff 2014

While I am just as concerned as all of you, as none of us should have to articulate a god given right and self defense, perhaps Kevin is playing the middle as best he can.

The goal is to get elected first. Telling folks that are on the fence or only know of the Smith way, that you are going to shake things up like a snow globe will cause panic, fear and losing the election.

I hope but am not counting on him shifting to the right after winning the election. This would mean that folks would have to prove that they don't deserve a permit.

"Each case will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis using a common-sense approach."

In this context the bolded phrase is code for "the constitution is a living document."

__________________
Gun Control: The theory that a woman found dead in an alley, raped and strangled with her panty hose, is somehow morally superior to a woman explaining to police how her attacker got that fatal bullet wound. -- L. Neil Smith

The danger is that we let up the fight. And he's already using code words and phases adopted by the antis.

So, how do you propose we make up for the people we lose in the fight who think that once smith is out (for whatever reason, not just 2A) that's its "mission accomplished"?

How do you propose we reign candidates in if we'll vote for them anyway?

The lessor of two evils is still evil.

__________________

Quote:

Originally Posted by Theseus

Damned criminals! When will they learn that they can't carry guns in prohibited places? I call for a ban on criminals! With a ban on criminals in place we will be assured that this kind of thing can't happen!

Perhaps we should look for an alternative candidate that GOA/NRA can vouch for and back financially? Someone who has clout with local PD, and if possible can appeal to moderates. We just need to look at his/her background. . GOA-CA tracks who has been loyal to the 2A and those who haven't. We can do a write in on the ballot. It will certainly need widespread support in the local 2A community and abroad.